Uproar over Russian court’s Gita ban move; Govt statement tomorrow

“Bhagawad Gita has an important role in our life. What happened in Russia has come into Government’s notice. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will make a statement in the House tomorrow,” Bansal said.

Earlier,members expressed concern over the move and demanded intervention by the Government. The House had to be adjourned twice till 4 pm due to the uproar created by members across the political spectrum over the issue.

“We will not tolerate any move to insult Lord Krishna,” chanted RJD chief Lalu Prasad who was supported by several members,angry over reports that a court in Tomsk was due to pronounce its verdict in a case calling for a ban on the Bhagwad Gita.

The issue was raised during Zero Hour by Bhratruhari Mahtab (BJD),who demanded that the Indian Embassy in Moscow should take the issue up with the Russian authorities. He asserted that the Gita does not preach hatred.

Demanding that religious freedom of the Hindus in Russia should not be compromised,he said the ISKCON had also appealed in this regard to the Indian government.

As soon as he finished speaking,members of Shiv Sena,BJP,RJD,BSP,Samajwadi Party and even Congress member Ijyaraj Singh stood up and protested the move. They also sought an immediate intervention by the government.

Speaker Meira Kumar,while asking them to maintain order in the House,advised them to submit notices to have a full-fledged discussion on the subject.

RJD Chief Lalu Prasad said the government should lodge a strong protest with Russia,adding “insult to Lord Krishna and the Gita will not be tolerated.” He said the move by the Siberian court was a “great conspiracy” against Lord Krishna.

When the House re-assembled at 4 pm,members were allowed to speak on the issue in the view of the sentiments attached.

Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said Bhagwad Gita was an inspiration for Mahatma Gandhi who followed it in his entire life. He urged the Government to condemn the move by the Siberian Court.

“Let the Government condemn it. Let this House condemn it,” Yadav said and asked the Government to take steps to teach Bhagwad Gita in schools and colleges.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said the issue is related to sentiments of thousands of people and asked the Government to understand it.

Hukumdev Narayan Yadav (BJP) said the issue has hurt the followers of Lord Krishna across the world.

V Arun Kumar (Cong) and Prasanna Kumar Patasani (BJD) also spoke.